Mr. Quiñanola’s Expectations for Distance Learning

 For Mr. Quiñanola to:

• Present mathematical concepts in an accessible manner given the constraints of distance learning
• Answer any questions regarding taught math concepts
• Clarify any misconceptions regarding taught math concepts
• Assign appropriate practice for students to build their mastery of math concepts
• Assess students’ mastery of taught math concepts
• Be available to support students’ learning during scheduled meeting times, office hours, and via email
• Maintain effective communication with students and parents of student progress via Aeries and email

For students to:

• Attend virtual class for every scheduled meeting time, on time and for the entire duration
• Have all materials on their desks when class starts
• Be attentive during the lesson, setting aside all distractions including cell phones
• Check class calendar often
• Complete all assignments neatly and on time
• Be thorough and show all steps when working on a problem
• Watch and take notes of all instructional videos
• Not get discouraged when a concept is challenging — If a concept is challenging, students should find a way to figure it out:
  • Take a break and come back to the problem in a few minutes
  • Look at lesson notes and similar problems done in class
  • Ask a classmate for an explanation
  • Look at on-line resources, and/or
  • Ask Mr. Quiñanola during online class meetings, office hours, or through e-mail
• Not expect perfection, but to exert 100% effort
• Not expect easy, but to expect a challenge

For parents to:

• Not feel intimidated by the math being taught in this class. Parents are not enrolled in this class.  Their child is enrolled in this class.  Parents are not expected to teach their child but rather are expected to support their child in persevering through challenges.
• Encourage their child to set up a school schedule and routine, for example:
  • Waking up and going to sleep at a reasonable time
  • Showering and changing out of pajamas
  • Setting up a quiet area in the home for schoolwork separate from the bedroom
  • Eating well at scheduled mealtimes
• Minimize distractions during their child’s class time and homework time. Make sure the television is off and their cell phone is inaccessible.  Do not fall for the excuse, “My cell phone is my calculator.”  Students should have a separate, dedicated calculator, or they can use the calculator on the Chromebook.
• Check that their child did their homework on time. Do not simply accept a yes or no answer.  Parents should have their child show their completed homework and that it is turned in online, comparing their homework with the problems that were assigned on the class calendar and make sure that they completed every problem.
• Check the class calendar for important dates
• Check Aeries often for grade progress
• Have their child explain how they did a problem, occasionally. If a parent can understand the explanation, then their child has learned the concept 
• Watch one of the assigned videos with their child and ask them what they learned, occasionally